Hello kids. I realize I've been quite lax about regular updates recently. I'm not sure what my excuse is, but rest assured that it's good.

Last night we had our EA screening of Superman Returns. (EA gets a special screening because we're making the video game for the movie.) The movie was entertaining, but not exceptional. A lot of it felt like a throwback to the old Superman movies, from the casting of a Christopher Reeve look-a-like in the lead, to the resurrected Marlon Brando dialogue, to the bizarrely retro opening credits. Definitely worth seeing once, especially on the big screen, but not necessarily again. I think Brian Singer's energy would have been better spent on X3.

I've been bad about climbing regularly, so I'm going to try to make a committment to going at least twice a week from now on (after this weekend, that is.) I've been hovering around the 5.10a level for quite a while now, so I think I'll have to get my butt in gear to actually start improving again. I've also been contemplating starting yoga for a while, because I think climbing and yoga are really complimentary activities. One more thing to add to the list...

It's off to Le Hamptons again this weekend to see the fam, including my heartbreakingly cute niece, who recently turned two. It should be a weekend of eating a lot, sleeping a lot (assuming last year doesn't repeat itself,) and reading. I'd like to get some knitting done, but my current project is for my sister, and she'll be there, darn her. Amanda is flying out on the same flight to see her best friend, which will be fun. We're planning on going to the Natural History Museum with Kahn, and stopping by this bakery for what my sister says are the best cookies she's ever had. Dinosaurs and cookies -- how can you go wrong?

Enzo's regular kennel was full over the holiday weekend, so I'm trying out Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital for boarding. I dropped him off this morning, and it looks like a really nice place. He was very nice (surprisingly so) to the vet who examined him, and I think he'll have a good time there. He gets two play periods a day, which is a change from Happiness Country, where play periods were infrequent, at best. If all goes well this weekend, I think I've found a new kennel for Fats.

In unrelated news, I've now surpassed 500 posts. Woo!

This is sweet.

Well, we made it back alive from Yosemite, despite accidentally attracting a bear to the tent site (lesson learned: brewing coffee attracts bears like a mofo). The hike up Half Dome was incredible, and very hard -- miles and miles of uphill. It was uber crowded as well, and it took us an entire hour just to get up the cables. But the view from the top was worth it, and I'm definitely glad I made it up. Thanks to Florence for organizing the trip, and to Amanda, Buddy, May Ling, and Domi for making it a super fun time. Pictures up eventually, after I actually finish putting up all my Australia photos.

Oh, and ask me about the ranger who woke up our tent cabin neighbor at midnight to ask him to put his beers in the bear box. It can only be fully expressed in person.

On an unrelated note, I just discovered that Brendan Dixon (hopefully my website still has Phat Google Powerz) has a website now! Woo! Go visit him!

Oh my...it's certainly been a while since I've updated. Anyway, I'll be in Yosemite this weekend, hopefully successfully hiking Half Dome. Should be fun, if not very, very tiring.

Also, people have really stopped caring, but I swear I'll put up the rest of my Australia pictures....soon.

Just wanted to wish Marsha a Happy 26th Birthday! Hope you're enjoying your SWEET NEW CONDO!

On an unrelated note, if you're in California, get out and vote!

Hey kids, the first batch of Australia photos are up, so get 'em while they're hot: Australia and New Zealand Day 01-03 - Sydney.

Edit: Now with the second batch!
Australia and New Zealand Day 04-06 - Ohakune - Wellington.

If you ignore every other photo, you must watch my bungy video, and make sure you turn up your sound! It's really a thing of wonder.

Edit: Batch number 3 up!
Australia and New Zealand Day 07-10 - Port Douglas.

This set includes koala hugging!

Edit: Buddy pointed out that comments on my photos page were broken, but it should be fixed now. Thanks Buddy!